Supper Time! Annual fest is April 7

Prince Frederick, MD - A well-organized event that helps those whose lives experience domestic turmoil is coming up in early April. The 18th annual Empty Bowl Supper is Saturday, April 7. The supper will be served at the St. John Vianney Family Life Center starting at 4:30 p.m. Every penny raised by ticket and silent auction item sales goes to Project ECHO (Ecumenical Council for the Homeless), a nonprofit organization that provides emergency shelter, meals, transitional housing and several other services to homeless men, women and children in the community.

The amazing success and popularity of the Empty Bowl Supper is a story that originates in several kitchens. Numerous local restaurants contribute to the repast.

“We’ve got a great food lineup that includes everyone’s favorite cream of crab and Maryland crab soups as well as various chicken soups, bisques and a few vegetarian options as well,” Project ECHO Development Director Teressa Beavers told TheBayNet.com. “Our food is provided by Stoney’s, Rod ‘N’ Reel, Maryland Country Caterers, Heavenly Chicken and Ribs, Dream Weavers, Herrington on the Bay, Chesapeake Grille, Calvert Career Center, Hooters, Sweet Sue’s, Ruby Tuesday’s and Bowens.”

So with all this food, why is it called an “Empty Bowl Supper?” Anecdotal evidence suggests various communities first began holding empty bowl suppers during the 1990s as a way to feed the needy. There are conflicting reports as to where the first such supper was held. Some reports say the West Coast and other sources cite Michigan. Artists, pottery crafters and art organizations have always been associated with the supper. In addition to Calvert County, communities that hold empty bowl suppers include Augusta, ME: Front Royal, VA; Shenandoah County, VA; Cambridge, MD: along with communities in Illinois and Tennessee. The Washington, DC organization “So Others Might Eat (SOME) also holds a supper. The craftspeople have made a variety of bowls and everyone who has a ticket to the supper gets a free bowl to take home.

“Our bowls are provided by Mike Martin, Jesus the Good Shepherd Church, Chesapeake Wood Turners, members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation and a few other local individuals,” said Beavers.

The silent auction is a popular component to the supper. Beavers said the 2018 event has plenty of great items up for bids. “Our auction will include gift certificates to area restaurants, spas and salons, tickets to Major League Baseball games, tickets to Calvert Marine Museum summer concerts, tours of local breweries and wineries, jewelry, tool kits, art and even an original driftwood sculpture by Larry Ringgold,” said Beavers.

Live music will be performed by the Calvert Brass Consortium. For the second year in a row, offsite parking with a shuttle service will be provided. The offsite parking is located behind the District Courthouse—200 Duke Street—with the free shuttle service provided by SmartRide.

Tickets to the 2018 Empty Bowl Supper are available at Projectecho.net, in the shelter on Main Street, in the Project ECHO Thrift Shop (also on Main Street) and at the door.